Where You'll Still Need A Mask After Illinois Mandate Ends

ILLINOIS — Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday announced his statewide indoor mask mandate will end Feb. 28. And similar mandates, including measures requiring proof of vaccination to dine out, go to the gym or see a movie, could also soon end in Chicago.

But that doesn't mean face coverings will be a thing of the past. Some locations — including local businesses and some municipalities — may still require them.

Here's a look at places you'll likely still have to wear a mask even after the mandate ends.

Schools

Late last week, a Sangamon County judge voided Pritzker's school mask mandate and other COVID-19 emergency measures.

But the governor is hoping to get that decision overturned, and that masks will once again be required at Illinois schools, regardless of the vaccination status of students and staff.

Businesses, municipalities can decide

Individual local businesses will still be able to enforce their own mask policy. Municipalities will also still have the ability to decide whether to drop mask requirements or implement their own local mask mandate.

Congregate settings

Jails, prisons, homeless shelters and other group living settings will still require masks.

Health care and long-term care facilities

Hospitals, doctor's offices and other medical settings are asked to continue enforcing mask rules, along with nursing homes and long-term care facilities.

Buses, trains, planes

Airplane passengers will still be required to wear masks, along with public transportation passengers and drivers on buses and trains.